by Cori Hilsgen
The 19th annual St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars awarded 26 area students with scholarships May 15 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall.
Many local businesses served as sponsors for the scholarships this year. Some of those businesses have consistently donated for the past 10 years. In the past 18 years, 430 scholarships, totaling almost $108,000, have been awarded.
President Mike Hazen recognized DFS board members and the students. He said many of them have been with the organization since the beginning. Because of tremendous fundraising calling efforts, Hazen said the group was able to offer several more scholarships this year.
Board members Janelle Von Pinnon and Marsha Johnson presented the awards.
This year’s recipients are Ted Bechtold, son of Bruce and Pat Bechtold, studying criminal justice at St. Cloud State University; Nathan Bedel, son of Brian and LuAnn Bedel, attending Immaculate Conception; Calvin Birr, son of Leon and Joy Birr, studying engineering at Arizona State University; Collen Blenker, son of Julie Pratt-Blenker, studying business at St. John’s University; Jake Bragelman, son of Gerald and Lisa Bragelman, studying education at the University of North Dakota; Katelyn Butkowski, daughter of Pamela Butkowski, studying accounting at the St. Cloud Technical College; Matthew Danielson, son of Doug and Carol Danielson, studying business at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Kathryn Evenson, daughter of Mark and Margaret Evenson, studying psychology at the University of Minnesota-Morris; David Flynn, son of Patrick Flynn, attending the University of Dallas; Brooke Johnson, daughter of Steve and Marcia Johnson, studying nursing at SCSU; Hannah and Peyton Kalla, daughter and son of Richard and Kelly Kalla, Hannah’s studying physical therapy and pediatric prosthetics at SCSU; Peyton’s studying accounting at SCSU; Abbi and Alli Kremers, daughters of Keith and Krista Kremers, Abbi’s studying biology/German/business at St. Mary’s, Winona; Alli’s studying international business and criminal justice at St. Mary’s, Winona; Rosalia Kremer, daughter of Henry and Kathy Kremers, studying business at the SCTC; Erika Lowell, daughter of William Lowell, studying paramedicine at the SCTC; Beau Maciej, son of Allan and Kimberly Maciej, studying energy specialties at the SCTC; Jeff and Nicholas Maleska, sons of Jim and Jackie Maleska, Jeff’s studying political science/Spanish at the University of St. Thomas; Nicholas is studying medicine at U of M-Duluth; Maria Reber, daughter of Anita Reber, studying cosmetology at the SCTC; Rajahna Schneekloth, daughter of Bruce and Janelle Schneekloth, studying music and psychology at SCSU; Emily Schneider, daughter of Dave and Marsha Schneider, attending the College of St. Benedict; Kevin Schreiber, son of Ken and Patricia Schreiber, studying IT security at SCSU; Catlin Terres, daughter of Robert and Teresa Terres, studying nursing at the CSB; Amanda and Amelia Walz, daughters of Nancy Walz, Amanda’s studying biology and pre-med at the U of M-Morris; Amelia’s studying psychology/human services at the U of M-Morris.
Local businesses and people that contributed scholarships included Boulder Ridge Apartments; Collegeville Credit Union; Michael Contardo, DDS; Styles and Cotton, DDS; Iver Linneman/St. Joseph American Legion and Knights of Columbus; Midcontinent Communications; the St. Joseph Newsleader; Dr. Thomas Newton/CentraCare Clinic; Pam’s Auto; Precise Refrigeration, Heating and Air; Steve Schirber; Sentry Bank; St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars Phon-a-thon; St. Joseph Firefighters; St. Joseph Jaycees; St. Joseph Lions and Sunset Manufacturing. All donations go toward scholarships.
- [/media-credit] Students Emily Schneider (left), Nathan Bedel, Matt Danielson, Brooke Johnson and Jeff Maleska received scholarships.
